ASB Good As Gold: Raymond Timihou

ASB Good as Gold is an ASB initiative recognising, rewarding and helping wonderful people in our community. We ask the public to nominate people, who are making a real difference in their community, have grabbed hold of life against the odds or who really deserve help in a time of hardship. The recipients are featured on TV One’s Seven Sharp programme.

Ray Timihou is a man of few words, but with true mana and heart.

A Waka Ama champion, he’s sharing his passion for the sport with a group of Rotorua teenagers, helping to channel their energy into something positive and rewarding. Through the sport, he’s teaching dedication and commitment – qualities that the kids learn to apply in the classroom as well. While he’s a driven coach and trainer for his teams, his focus is always on seeing them succeed in school first.

He leads by example, getting up at 6am every day to take training. Ray always puts everyone before himself. A coach, mentor, father and comedian to his teams, he’s a hugely positive influence and everyone is so grateful for the work he does. He asks nothing but commitment – an important value for these young people to live by.

As well as helping these kids to be successful in their education, Ray has seen some great success in Waka Ama, with one of the young girls he coaches winning a silver medal at the international Waka Ama championships. Ray is someone who gives so much of himself in support of others, and we think that deserves recognition.

We’ve given Ray $3000 to go towards taking his junior girls, Hei Matau Waka Ama team to the Junior Paddlers long distance competition. We’re also sending Ray and his partner on a luxury trip to attend the Vaka Eiva international competition in Rarotonga in November.

We wish Ray and his teams all the best, and hope that his positivity and commitment continues to enrich the lives of young people in Rotorua.